BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith will try to treat Sunday’s The Buildbase FA Vase quarter-final with Buckland Athletic (3pm) like any other game.

Smith plans to prepare his players in the usual way but admits the Victoria Ground match, which is a sell-out of more than 3,000 fans, might already be preying on their minds.

The table-topping Rouslers produced a below-par performance when beating Cadbury Athletic 3-2 last weekend, stretching their unbeaten Midland League Division One run to 23 games.

Smith said: “We had to win ugly. It wasn’t a good performance and some of the players simply weren’t at the races.

“It was like their minds were somewhere else — and why wouldn’t they be.

“But the players showed great character to come from 2-1 down.

“It’s a position we haven’t really found ourselves in this season but we struck to the task and obtained the three points.”

On his team Smith added: “There are seven names nailed on but there are still three or four places up for grabs.

“But I’ve got a strong squad and whoever plays it won’t weaken the side one bit.”

Smith travelled to their Newton Abbot home last week to watch third-placed Western League Premier Division side Buckland play.

He added: “Buckland cannot believe the size of the crowd they are going to play in front at the Victoria Ground and are very excited about the game.

“But it didn’t disguise the fact they are a very good side and play a similar style to Bristol Manor Farm who we beat in the previous round.

“Buckland have won their last 14 games and are no mugs. We will need to be at our very best to beat them.”